Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater alpine lake located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, straddling the border between California and Nevada in the United States. It sits at an elevation of roughly 1,897 meters above sea level. The lake is a major tourist destination, offering ski resorts on its north and south shores.

Lake Tahoe's exceptional clarity and deep blue color are the result of its depth, low nutrient levels, and the natural filtration provided by surrounding marshes and wetlands. The lake has a maximum depth of approximately 501 meters, preventing suspended sediment from easily mixing to the surface. However, invasive species and urban runoff have threatened its historic clarity in recent decades.

While not the deepest lake in North America (that title goes to Crater Lake), Lake Tahoe is the second deepest at roughly 501 meters. It holds enough water to cover the entire state of California in roughly 36 centimeters of water. Its considerable depth and high volume help maintain its cold temperatures year-round.

Lake Tahoe offers year-round recreation, including downhill skiing and snowboarding at world-class resorts like Heavenly Mountain and Palisades Tahoe during the winter. In the summer, visitors enjoy hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail, kayaking in Emerald Bay, and relaxing on the beaches at Sand Harbor. The Nevada side of the lake also features large casinos.